Courses

Fall Semester information

390A: Persp:Cannabis Cultures

Of the approximately 391,000 plant species identified by Western botanists, few straddle the lines between medicine and menace, commodity and contraband, as vividly as Cannabis sativa L. Likely originating in Central Asia, Cannabis has co-evolved with humans over millennia, spreading across the globe thanks to its adaptability, versatility, and sociopolitical entanglements. It stands out not only for its many practical uses--nutritional, industrial, medicinal, and psychoactive--but also for the stories, controversies, and contradictions it carries. Cannabis has long served as a potent cultural symbol, mobilized to mark social boundaries, enforce criminalization, and resist authority.
This course examines the long and complex human-Cannabis relationship through the lens of anthropology, from ancient societies to modern nation-states. We will consider how cultural norms, legal systems, environmental practices, and political ideologies shape Cannabis use and regulation. Throughout the semester, we will ask: How have societies made sense of Cannabis? What meanings has it taken on in different cultural contexts? And what does the story of Cannabis reveal about broader themes of power, identity, and social control? Together, we will challenge assumptions, sift through competing claims, and explore how culture matters in understanding a plant that has never been just a plant.

Spring Semester information

390A: Topics:Public Engagement and Applied Work

Are you curious, motivated, or keen about applying classroom knowledge to effectively address real-world problems and foster transformative social change? This course examines how anthropological knowledge -- theories, methods, and insights -- addresses complex societal questions (including social, cultural, economic, and political issues), and is converted into impactful action in the public sphere. Students will analyze the principles and practices of both public anthropology, which engages broad audiences in conversation and advocacy about pressing societal issues; and applied anthropology, which collaborates with institutions and communities to solve real-world problems. Through these lenses, students will learn how anthropologists employ knowledge of human identities, interactions, practices, values, and belief systems to tackle crucial issues in diverse fields such as health and human services; environment and sustainability; business, development, and governance; advocacy and public engagement; and culture and heritage. The course further encompasses multiple activities such as lectures and class discussions; article and case study comparisons, analysis, evaluations, and interpretations; audiovisual analysis; and simulations, observations, and applications within and beyond the classroom. It also emphasizes ethical practice, cultural sensitivity, innovative solutions, and interdisciplinary communication across diverse audiences at local and more global levels (academia, community members, policymakers, NGOs, businesses, governments, etc.)